With thousands of online casino games and online slot titles available to choose from, players – and especially those who are new to the world of playing at an online casino for real money – might find it difficult to decide where to start. Ultimately, when exploring various online casino slots, it’s important to look at two main things, namely the game’s RTP (return to player percentage) and its theme.
What is RTP?
A game’s RTP refers to the rewards or wins a player can expect to walk away with following a gaming session. In short, the higher the RTP, the greater the chance of a decent win. For example, if you’re playing a title with a fairly average RTP of around 96% and you wager $100 during your gambling session, you can expect to win around $96 back … unless, of course, you manage to hit the jackpot. However, do keep in mind that there are many factors that influence whether you’ll win or lose when giving a specific title a go, and there’s never any guarantee that you’re going to win big!
What is a game’s theme?
The game’s theme doesn’t have anything to do with increasing or decreasing your winning potential. Rather, it refers to the game’s aesthetics and plays a role in optimizing the overall gaming experience based on your unique preferences and interests. For instance, if you’re a fan of travel, you might be attracted to online casino games that are designed around popular destinations from around the globe, such as Lucky Irish Charms and China Mystery. On the other hand, if you prefer online slots with a retro and nostalgic look and feel, then you’ll enjoy popular titles like Vegas Stacks and Wheel of Fortune: On the Road.
The question is, which is the most important aspect of the two when it comes to making the decision regarding what to play next – RTP or theme? We investigate below.
Why it’s a good idea to choose a game based on RTP
It’s always wise to take RTP into account when choosing a new slot game, as it influences how much money you’re likely to lose (or win) in the long term. The RTP rating exists to help you select the casino games with the best odds. Having said that, it’s vital to note that RTP isn’t quite as critical as it sounds if you only intend to play a certain title for a short amount of time. Shorter gaming sessions and their associated wins are determined largely based on luck and fate.
RTP will only make a significant difference on winning and losing ratios if you stick around for a while and play well over 100 spins at a time, especially when you realize that the average return to player percentage is most commonly calculated based on wins and losses taking place between 10,000 and 100,000 spins.
Why it’s a good idea to choose a game based on theme
Choosing a game with a theme that interests you almost guarantees that you’re going to enjoy playing it, so it’s definitely a good idea to take the theme into account.
If you’re still not sure what types of slot game themes you prefer, feel free to explore what’s available to find your “niche.” Sought-after favorites include slot games based on popular movies and television shows, slot games based on jewels, diamonds and gold coins, ancient history and mythology, slot games based on “lucky number 7,” and, as mentioned above, travel- or destination-focused online slots.
The bottom line
RTP and theme are both important considerations – but they aren’t the be-all and end-all when scoping out a new game. Instead of focusing purely on RTP, it’s recommended for you to also investigate the size of the available jackpot and how much it’s possible to win based on your stake. Just remember never to gamble with the goal of winning money. The only goal should be to have plenty of fun and to look at any money that you lose as the cost of your entertainment. With this in mind, it goes without saying that the theme is a much more important characteristic to look into than the RTP slots percentage as it plays the biggest role in ensuring your personal entertainment.
Ultimately, the best course of action is to choose a title with a theme that excites you, taking a few moments to double-check that it promises at least an average RTP — generally 95% to 97%. You can expect most of the newer titles to measure in with an RTP of around 96%, with some of the older titles featuring significantly lower RTPs, often sitting between 93% and 94%.
It’s difficult to go wrong with this balanced approach when it comes to enjoying online casino slots to the maximum.
Find a variety of exciting online casino games at BetMGM
Regardless of how you prefer to select your slot games, you’ll be pleased to discover a broad variety of enthralling titles at BetMGM online casino. We have gone out of our way to provide access to the best games to play at casinos online, including slot games, casino table games, live dealer tournaments, variety games and much more.
If you’re interested in delving deeper into what’s on offer, feel free to register in your own time via our convenient mobile portal.
